How to choose the best South Carolina attorney for your workers’ compensation case
When seeking compensation for a work injury, the type of legal representation you choose matters a lot. Workers’ compensation laws can be complex. That’s why you need a qualified and experienced lawyer to increase your chances of getting compensation.
Some employers and insurance companies try to delay the compensation process or offer you a settlement that is far less than you deserve. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help you navigate the process so your rights are protected.
But how do you choose the best South Carolina workers’ compensation attorney?
With so many lawyers to choose from, it can be challenging to pick the right one for your workers’ compensation case. Although there’s no exact measure of a good lawyer, there are certain things you should consider when looking for the best person to represent you.
Below are our top tips for choosing a workers’ comp lawyer in South Carolina.
Find a lawyer who specializes in workers’ compensation cases
Lawyers specialize in different kinds of law. Being a lawyer doesn’t mean that you can handle every case brought before you. If you’ve been injured at work in South Carolina, the first thing you should do is look for a lawyer who specifically deals with workers’ compensation cases.
A workers’ comp lawyer understands workers’ compensation laws and will be able to properly investigate your case, ensure you meet all necessary filing deadlines and negotiate fair compensation with the insurance company based on cases similar to yours.
Hire a lawyer who practices in the area where the incident occurred
Workers’ compensation laws vary from 1 state to another. As such, it’s a good idea to hire a lawyer based in the area where you work. A workers’ compensation lawyer based in South Carolina is familiar with the companies in their state and understands South Carolina’s laws surrounding workers’ comp better than an out-of-state lawyer.
Being familiar with the businesses and laws in their state means they can more easily navigate the workers’ comp process and communicate with the necessary parties in a timely manner to get your case settled sooner. Having a local lawyer also makes it easier to arrange meetings and exchange necessary information.
Ask about their success rate in workers’ compensation cases
Don’t be afraid to ask an attorney about the number of workers’ comp cases they’ve handled and their success rate for those cases. While this information is not something that all attorneys are willing or able to disclose, it can help you get an idea of their previous experience with cases like yours.
Look for customer recommendations and reviews
You should do your research to try to find out exactly how other people feel about the lawyer before making a final decision. What do previous clients say about the lawyer? Do they consider them to be the best workers’ comp attorney in their area?
The best way to do this is by checking online reviews about the lawyer and their firm. If you come across a lot of negative comments or feedback about the lawyer, that could be a red flag.
You may also want to consider asking your friends and social media groups for referrals and checking with your local or state legal aid offices and bar associations.
Ask about their availability to work on your case
Most lawyers who deal with workers’ compensation cases are ever busy. While this can be an indication of a successful lawyer, you want to make sure that your lawyer doesn’t have so many clients that they won’t have the time to handle your case properly.
In addition to ensuring all necessary paperwork is filed on time, your lawyer will also need to actively investigate your case and negotiate with your employer and their insurance company. If an attorney is juggling too many cases at once, it could cause your case to drag out longer than necessary, which can be especially problematic if your injury has left you unable to work.
Why you should contact an experienced workers’ comp attorney before accepting a settlement
Do I really need to hire a lawyer to handle my workers’ compensation case?
Experience matters when it comes to legal matters. While you might be tempted to try to handle your workers’ comp claim without legal help, the chances of getting the full compensation you’re entitled to without an experienced workers’ compensation attorney is unlikely.
Employers and insurance companies often try to intimidate and bully workers without representation into accepting a smaller settlement offer than they deserve. They’re counting on you not to understand your rights so they can pay you as little as possible for your injuries. And once you accept their offer, you won’t be able to get more money later if you discover that your injuries require long-term medical treatment or rehabilitation.
Additionally, most workers’ compensation attorneys offer a free initial consultation, and they usually don’t charge you a fee unless they win your case. This means you can rest assured they’ll be honest with you about how much they think your case is worth, which will allow you to weigh all your options before making an informed decision.
If you live in South Carolina and would like help with your workers’ compensation case, contact the experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Chappell, Smith and Arden, P.A. Our firm has more than 30 years of experience fighting for workers in South Carolina. We’ve recovered over 300 million dollars for our more than 9,000 satisfied clients, and we’d love the opportunity to help you as well. Contact our office today for your free, no-obligation consultation.